Neusz is not immediately upon the Rhine, but that river, which sweeps away in a north-easterly direction from the walls, throws out an arm which completely encircles the town.  A part of the place, cut into an island by the Erpt, was strengthened by two redoubts.  This island was abandoned, as being too weak to hold, and the Spaniards took possession of it immediately.  There were various preliminary and sanguinary sorties and skirmishes, during which the Spaniards after having been once driven from the island, again occupied that position.  Archbishop Ernest came into the camp, and, before proceeding to a cannonade, Parma offered to the city certain terms of capitulation, which were approved by that prelate.  Kloet replied to this proposal, that he was wedded to the town and to his honour, which were as one.  These he was incapable of sacrificing, but his life he was ready to lay down.  There was, through some misapprehension, a delay in reporting this answer to Farnese.  Meantime that general became impatient, and advanced to the battery of the Italian regiment.  Pretending to be a plenipotentiary from the commander-in-chief, he expostulated in a loud voice at the slowness of their counsels.  Hardly had he begun to speak, when a shower of balls rattled about him.  His own soldiers were terrified at his danger, and a cry arose in the town that “Holofernese”—­as the Flemings and Germans were accustomed to nickname Farnese—­was dead.  Strange to relate, he was quite unharmed, and walked back to his tent with dignified slowness and a very frowning face.  It was said that this breach of truce had been begun by the Spaniards, who had fired first, and had been immediately answered by the town.  This was hotly denied, and Parma sent Colonel Tasais with a flag of truce to the commander, to rebuke and to desire an explanation of this dishonourable conduct.

The answer given, or imagined, was that Commander Kloet had been sound asleep, but that he now much regretted this untoward accident.  The explanation was received with derision, for it seemed hardly probable that so young and energetic a soldier would take the opportunity to refresh himself with slumber at a moment when a treaty for the capitulation of a city under his charge was under discussion.  This terminated the negotiation.

A few days afterwards, the feast of St James was celebrated in the Spanish camp, with bonfires and other demonstrations of hilarity.  The townsmen are said to have desecrated the same holiday by roasting alive in the market-place two unfortunate soldiers, who had been captured in a sortie a few days before; besides burning the body of the holy Saint Quirinus, with other holy relics.  The detestable deed was to be most horribly avenged.

A steady cannonade from forty-five great guns was kept up from 2 A.M. of July 15 until the dawn of the following day; the cannoneers—­being all provided with milk and vinegar to cool the pieces.  At daybreak the assault was ordered.  Eight separate attacks were made with the usual impetuosity of Spaniards, and were steadily repulsed.